Suitable replacement compact jack

[FABombjoy]

My car never had the original tire jack. I figure it's time to start carrying one just in case but I'm not in the market for a $120 vintage artifact :)

Just wondering if anyone has a recommendation for a compact tire-changing jack that fits in the OEM location. There are a million scissor-lift jacks on amazon, harbor freight, etc., but maybe there is a truly life-affirming product out there?

[David T]

If you are figuring on ever having to use the spare you should also consider replacing the tire. It is over 30 years old and recent posts of owners who had to use it mention that the spare gave up after only a few miles. As for the jack, call Bob Miller @ 919-477-7516. He may have one and he won't ask $120 but it may be a little rusty!

[FABombjoy]

New Kumho spare tire arrives today! $67 delivered, not too shabby.

[dodint]

I had the same Kumho installed two weeks ago.

[hippieman9]

New Kumho spare tire arrives today! $67 delivered, not too shabby.

I ordered the same tire, it will also be here today!

[Mark D]

Just throwing my 2 cents in regarding the jack. If you can find an original for a decent price I'd highly recommend going that route vs some other alternative. The OE jack has a little dimple in the center that mates up with the jack plates on the car and reduces the chance of the jack slipping out and the car falling down.

I'm not sure how much luck you will have finding something else that fits anyway... Our cars are so low that I can't even get a regular floor jack under the jack points. When changing a tire in my garage if I don't want to lift up the whole car using the frame I'll just get out the stock jack and raise up one corner. It's actually a pretty nice quality jack for what it is.

Oh, and anyone else is looking for a new spare tire, Walmart has the Kumho tire that people have been buying for $44 w/ free shipping.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Kumho-121-T125-70D15-BSW-tire/928153896

[Rich_NYS]

Just throwing my 2 cents in regarding the jack. If you can find an original for a decent price I'd highly recommend going that route vs some other alternative. The OE jack has a little dimple in the center that mates up with the jack plates on the car and reduces the chance of the jack slipping out and the car falling down.

I'm not sure how much luck you will have finding something else that fits anyway... Our cars are so low that I can't even get a regular floor jack under the jack points. When changing a tire in my garage if I don't want to lift up the whole car using the frame I'll just get out the stock jack and raise up one corner. It's actually a pretty nice quality jack for what it is.

Oh, and anyone else is looking for a new spare tire, Walmart has the Kumho tire that people have been buying for $44 w/ free shipping.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Kumho-121-T125-70D15-BSW-tire/928153896

First time I'm seeing this, it's a direct-fit replacement for the OE spare?

[Patrick C]

First time I'm seeing this, it's a direct-fit replacement for the OE spare?

Look for a junkyard spare from a Nissan Versa (Goodyear) and have the tire swapped to the stock spare rim. I did this and it looks 100% original, only decades newer. T125/70D15

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F32 3229188295

[FABombjoy]

Here’s my new Kumho spare installed. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180628/beef38fce6127754f2b223b32ec8344f.jpg

[Jonathan]

I put a Bridgestone tire on a couple of seasons ago.

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[Mark D]

First time I'm seeing this, it's a direct-fit replacement for the OE spare?

Hey Rich, yeah the tire size for the temporary spare is T125/70D15 (I think the T prefix means temporary). There are a few different manufacturers that make them but from what I've found the Kumho is the cheapest. It's around $67 on tire rack and $44 from Walmart.

From what I've read not all tire shops will install new rubber onto temp spare rims. I had Discount Tire do mine a couple of years ago and they also put some kind of bead sealant on to help prevent leaks.

[David T]

You are correct, many tire shops, especially the chain ones, will refuse to do anything with the spare, temporary, tires. Bead sealer is a great idea especially if the rim is corroded and pitted. The Kumho may be the cheapest one but I hope it will work for you. I opted for the much more expensive Bridgestone. I have not heard many good things about most of the tires imported from the far east. I figured the Kumho wouldn't be much better than my 30 year old tire. Bridgestone, while it isn't the best tire you can buy, is, at least. an American brand that I have heard of and used in the past.

[dodint]

Look for a junkyard spare from a Nissan Versa (Goodyear) and have the tire swapped to the stock spare rim. I did this and it looks 100% original, only decades newer. T125/70D15

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F32 3229188295

That level of detail on your part is really impressive; but putting an 8 year old used tire into the car just doesn't fulfill the mission I was going for (safety). I suppose these tires are generally hidden from UV and their life is prolonged, but I'm not willing to bet on it when brand new replacements are on the market.

[dodint]

My local tire shop wouldn't do it at first thinking it was an idiot spare; they told me to go back to the manufacturer and buy a new one. When I explained it was for a 35 year old collector car they relented and mounted it.

Kumho is a very well respected tire brand in the racing and street performance world. I didn't hesitate at all to put it on the DMCs spare wheel. They're not in the same group as Geostar, Sunny, Pegasus, etc.

[dn010]

Be careful buying this size tire on eBay. I know a 2010 is newer than an 81 and it's only a spare, but every single seller I emailed regarding the date on the tire couldn't (wouldn't) tell me what it was. If I'm spending money on a "new" tire I'd rather know what new means to the seller.

As for the jack, if you can't get an original then get an alternative cheap and weld a nut or similar on it to recreate the pin that goes into the jack plate. I've had to do this in the past.

[FABombjoy]

I have not heard many good things about most of the tires imported from the far east. I figured the Kumho wouldn't be much better than my 30 year old tire.
Kumho are Korean, and that they are even sold by Tire Rack speaks to a minimum level of quality. They may not be the best but they are fine, especially for a spare. Lots of supporting data.


As for the jack, if you can't get an original then get an alternative cheap and weld a nut or similar on it to recreate the pin that goes into the jack plate. I've had to do this in the past.
This seems to be the direction I'm heading. El cheapo scissor jack with an acorn nut mounted in the center.

[Rich_NYS]

Hey Rich, yeah the tire size for the temporary spare is T125/70D15 (I think the T prefix means temporary). There are a few different manufacturers that make them but from what I've found the Kumho is the cheapest. It's around $67 on tire rack and $44 from Walmart.

From what I've read not all tire shops will install new rubber onto temp spare rims. I had Discount Tire do mine a couple of years ago and they also put some kind of bead sealant on to help prevent leaks.

Good info, thanks!

[Patrick C]

That level of detail on your part is really impressive; but putting an 8 year old used tire into the car just doesn't fulfill the mission I was going for (safety). I suppose these tires are generally hidden from UV and their life is prolonged, but I'm not willing to bet on it when brand new replacements are on the market.

The one I found was never used, but you get the idea. I doubt I would ever use the spare anyway, but I’m sure an unused 6-8 year old spare is much better than an unused 37 year old spare (which some owners are still using!). There isn’t any guarantee a “new” Kuhmo spare off the shelf hasn’t been sitting there for 4 or 5 years either.

[Ron]

My car never had the original tire jack. I figure it's time to start carrying one just in case but I'm not in the market for a $120 vintage artifact :)

I just posted both types of OEM jacks in the For Sale Section HERE (http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?16612-Misc-Parts-For-Sale&p=236016#post236016). One is 1/2 that price OBO (includes handle). The other is w/o handle. I like to get 1/2 vendor price for used stuff, but they are out of stock/NLA. I'm taking offers on anything....

[ssdelorean]

Oh, and anyone else is looking for a new spare tire, Walmart has the Kumho tire that people have been buying for $44 w/ free shipping.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Kumho-121-T125-70D15-BSW-tire/928153896


Hey Rich, yeah the tire size for the temporary spare is T125/70D15 (I think the T prefix means temporary). There are a few different manufacturers that make them but from what I've found the Kumho is the cheapest. It's around $67 on tire rack and $44 from Walmart.

From what I've read not all tire shops will install new rubber onto temp spare rims. I had Discount Tire do mine a couple of years ago and they also put some kind of bead sealant on to help prevent leaks.

I just got the Kumho from Walmart.com as well. The issue I was running into is that my local tire shops (as well as WalMart) cannot mount the tire because of the size of their machines - the rims are too skinny. My quick fix = gave it to a neighbor who works at a motorcycle shop. Had it done in no time and I just owe him a 6 pack.

Just wanted to share for any others out there who can't find a shop to mount the tire to the rim - take it to a motorcycle shop. They probably wont be able to balance it but it is just a band-aid to get you home. At least it now holds air!

[WHO1DMC]

+1 Took mine to my motorcycle guy. Same tire.

Ya your not supposed to balance these because there not to exceed 50 MPH.

[DMC VIN 6639]

I welded a plate and center post to this jack I found at the junkyard. Works good.

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